Bollywood's Oscar-worthy flicks

Bollywood movies are making waves and raking in revenue across the world. But still, no one in the industry has been able to win an Oscar (no, we cannot count Slumdog Millionaire).

We cringe when insipid movies like Paheli, Jeans and Hey Ram are sent for the Oscars, and we do the same when films Harishchandrachi Factory and Shwaas do not get nominated in spite of being sent.

Of course, not every movie makes it to the Oscar nominee list, yet there are some that we think should definitely have, but didn’t. We list a few of them:

Best Romantic Comedy: Chupke Chupke

This rib-tickling comedy that paired Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra was sufficient to keep us at the edge of our seats while watching the movie. Chupke Chupke deserved an Oscar simply for its love story. Afterall, who wouldn’t want a hubby who’d readily become a driver just for the sake of love.

Why we love the film: Because of the mischievous Professor Parimal Tripathi and the manner in which he corrects Raghavendra (Om Prakash) with his grammatical errors in the Hindi language.


Best Historic Romance: Mughal-e-Azam

Perhaps the most cherished love story of all times is the story of Anarkali and Salim. The beautiful Madhubala was much acclaimed for her grace and poise in the movie and so was Dilip Kumar. The chemistry between them was such that it made every viewer fall in love with them.

Why we love the film: For the unforgettable song and Anarkali dancing to Pyar kiya toh darna kya.

Best heart-wrenching story: Saaransh

The movie that gave Bollywood cinema one of its finest actors, Anupam Kher, Saaransh was one film that became an epitome of good acting. Highlighting the grievances of parents who have lost their only son, the movie instantly struck a chord with the public.

Why we love the film: For its simplicity and ability to make the viewers feel the pain and sufferings of the aging parents. It also shows that persistent courage can overcome all fears.

Best Contemporary Film: Rang De Basanti

Aamir Khan proved yet again that every movie of his is an act of perfection. Rang De… describes the circumstances in which a group of college friends stand up for the rights of their pilot friend, a flight lieutenant in the Indian Air Force, who was killed in a senseless plane crash.

While the government claims it was the fault of the pilot, his friends find out that it was the corrupt ministers who were ignorant towards the poor standards of the MiG-21 planes. The otherwise lazy friends take on the authorities to fight for justice, however they lose their lives in the end. The blend of the glimpse of the characters during the Independence movement during British Rule, with similar circumstances and decisions taken in this era forms a prefect picture of how history repeats itself.

Why we love the film: For the one line that summarises the movie and stirs up emotions 'Ab bhi jiska khoon na khoula, wo khoon nahin hai paani hai. Jo bhi desh ke kaam na aaye, wo bekar jawaani hai!' (If someone’s blood doesn’t boil even now, it’s not blood but mere water, who-so-ever can’t serve his country, has wasted its youth)



Best Real Story Adaptation: Parzania

The 2007 movie based on the Godhra riots sent shivers down everyone's spine. Based on the true life story of ten-year-old Azhar Mody, the story focuses on the futility of the riots. For an issue that has been discussed to death through 60 years of independence, the movie proves the point of how lives of innocent people are affected during the violence that strikes between the two communities.

Why we love the film: For bringing out the futility of communal riots.


Best Musical: It's a tie between Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Taal

Songs of Hum Aapke Hai Kaun were instant chartbusters. Ram Laxman’s music had an element of fun and mischief in it. Songs like Joote le lo and Didi tera devar deewana were infectious and till date people play it at their weddings.

On the other hand when Rehman won the Oscars for Jai Ho, everyone raised the fact that he ought to have won it much before, for his previous work. Ask them about which previous work, and the first reply is Taal. The music left people speechless, and also left the audience convinced of the man’s unmatched abilities in the field of music.

Which other movies deserved an Oscar? Leave us a comment and let us know.